The majority of recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (“ATS”) that sift resumes for keywords, automatically discarding all resumes that do not meet specified keyword criteria. They require a standard format like Word or PDF, or online entry to their database. Standing out from the crowd has just become that much more difficult so far. Remember that a resume is just a door opener to getting that interview.

Five suggestions to enhance your resume are set out below:

1. Don’t bother with a formal resume.

Most jobs go unadvertised and are filled by personal contact between the advertiser and applicant, often former colleagues or contacts. Shamelessly use your network of contacts to find out where there are unadvertised vacancies, plant “If you hear of anything, let me know” in their minds. Adapt your resume to be a list of your skills relevant to each of the jobs you are asked to apply for by your contacts.

If you don’t want your existing employer to know you are in the market, this may not be the best approach.

2. Refocus your formal resume

Most resumes are tedious to the point of being sleep inducing. Where I was educated and qualifications received, all the jobs I have ever done and my supervisor from 30 years ago. The recruiter usually makes a decision in about 10 seconds whether to keep reading your resume or not. So keep it down to one or two pages and make the first page a real standout.

What a recruiter wants to know is what you can do, and how you will benefit their organization. Focus your resume on your skills. If you are a real whizz at something, say so up front.

3. Check your stuff on Social Media

Recruiters will check out your social media profiles, even if you don’t include links in your resume. You can be found. Make sure that there is nothing evil that they can find. Saying “XYZ sucks” on Facebook when you are applying for a job with XYZ could well be a career limiter. Your resume and online stories must be the same.